We just lost our 6 year old boxer 4weeks ago. It would appear she developed respiratory distress syndrome after aspiration. I think she must have had a mega esophagus as she had back to back episodes of "pneumonia" in February. Did not notice many choking episodes, but had a tendency to inhale her food. I had just taken her running 3 miles the day before and my wife had taken her for a two mile walk the day she got sick. She was a very healthy dog. My daughters boxer who was her best friend died 10 days prior. She lived with us for 4 years while my daughter was in med school. She died from DIC was only 7 years old and I suspect had underlying cancer. It has been devastating for all of us as they were such awesome dogs. Lawrence Carlsson Jr MD